Experimental Analysis on the Tensile Strength of Polyester Resin based Calcium Carbonate Powder and E-Glass Fibre Reinforced Composite

Abstract

Calcium carbonate powder is contained in the waste produced from processing limestone. Limestone is used as an alternative substitute for organic fillers in polymer composites. The use of this waste can be a valuable resource as a replacement filler in polymer composites. The main purpose of this study is to reuse the waste materials calcium carbonate for composite materials. E-glass type woven roving is used as reinforcement and polyester resin was is as a matrix. In the present research, the addition of calcium carbonate waste powder in composites E-glass/polyester was investigated for tensile strength and density. In the hybrid, composite specimen of this study was prepared using hand lay-up technique. Tensile testing was carried out according to ASTM D368 standard. At first, calcium carbonate powder, glass fibre, and polyester were prepared in a specific volume and the specimens were prepared. Comparison filler plays an important role in producing the tensile strength of the composite. Thus, the fill ratio was considered as an experimental variable and were varied (2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10% by weight for calcium carbonate; 10, 12.5, 15, and 17.5% by weight for E-Glass. After testing was carried out, it is found that the strength of the material was increased as the volume of E-glass fibre increased.